Coupling for iron bedsteads.



PatentedSept. 5, |899. W. L. DISMUKES.

CUPLING FOB IRON BEDSTEADS.

Application led May 4, 1899.)

@No Model.)

TH: Nonms uns no.. PuoTaLwHc.. WASHINGTON. b. c.

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`,VILLIAM LOUIS DISMUKES, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-- THIRD TO ROBERT J. LYLES, OF SAME PLACE.

COUPLING FOR IRON BEDSTEADS.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 632,254, dated September 5, 1899.

Application filed May 4, 1899. Serial No. 715,578. (No model.)

To all wiz/0m, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LOUIS DrsnUKEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Coupling for Iron Bedsteads, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for connecting the side and end rails of an iron bedstead to the end posts thereof, and has for its object to provide a simple and improved coupling adapted to detachably connect the rails to the posts, so as to facilitate the set` ting up and taking apart of the bedstead and at the same time to connect the parts firmly together, whereby movement and loosening thereof are eectually prevented.

To these ends the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the invention applied to connect a side and an end rail to the corner-post of a bedstead. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken in the plane of the side rail of the bedstead. Fig. 3 is a horizontal transverse sectional view. Figs. i and 5 are detail perspective views of the two members of the coupling. Fig. 6 is alongitudinal sectional view of a modied form of coupling. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail perspective views of the members thereof.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the coupling comprises a semitubular member l and a tubular cap member 2, adapted to embrace the member l and connect the two memberstogether.

By particular reference to Fig. l it will be seen that the semitubular member l is provided with a pair of internally-threaded sockets 3, projecting transversely outward from the convex side of the member andintermediate of the ends thereof. These sockets preferably extend at right angles to each other and are braced by means of a webi, extending between the same. It will be understood that these parts are to be formed integral, so

as to provide a strong and durable couplinghead. The side and end rails 5 and 6, respectively, are adapted to have their ends externally screw-threaded and removably iitted into the respective sockets 3, thereby connecting the rails together at the corners of the bedstead. The member is also provided with a pin or lug 7, extending laterally from the concave side intermediate of the ends thereof and extending in the plane of one of the sockets.

As shown in Fig. 5, the cap member of the coupling comprises a complete sleeve or tube having one side thereof open or cut away longitudinally for a suitable distance and adapted to be slipped upon the semitubular `member, so that the opposite longitudinal sides of the opening in the cap member will embrace the opposite longitudinal sides of the semitubular member. By reference to Fig. l it will be noted that the upper end of the cap member embraces the upper end Vof the semitubular member, and the transverse shoulder 8, formed by the opening in the cap member,rests upon the upper sides of the sockets 5 and 6, whereby the cap member is prevented from slipping downward out of en-v gagement with the semitubular member. It will be understood that the cap member is necessarily of larger diameter than the other member which it embraces, and therefore the cap member is provided with a filling or the wall of the member opposite the cut-away portion thereof is thickened, as at 9, for the entire length and half of the circumferential width thereof. This thickened portion or iilling of the cap member ends abruptly in diametrically opposite shoulders l0, extending the entire longitudinal length of the member and adapted to fit flush against the opposite longitudinal edges of the semitubular member, as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

In applying the coupling members to an end post of a bedstead the semitubular member is first fitted thereto, the pin or shoulder 7 being received in a suitable opening l1, formed transversely in the hollow or tubular post 12, as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 ofthe drawings. Then the cap member is slipped IOO upon the semitubular member from above and embraces the same, as-hereinbefore described. It will now be understood that the purpose of the iilling 9 or thickening of the wall of the cap member is to complete the tube or sleeve of which the semitubular member forms a part, and thereby firmly clamp the post between the latter and the filling 9, whereby movement of the parts upon the post is eifectually prevented. By reason of the pin fitting in the hole provided in the post the semitubular member carrying the sockets is supported upon the end post, and the cap member embracing the post and the semitubular member the 'latter is held against the post and the pin or shoulder is prevented from becoming disengaged from the opening in the post. Thus it will be seen that the side and end rails of the bedstead maybe conveniently connected to the end posts and effectually held thereto and yet permit of the ready removal of the parts when so desired.

In the modified form of the invention the Solid end post is provided with an annular enlargement or shoulder 13, and the semitubular member is provided with a transverse shoulder 14 upon the concave side thereof, which is adapted to rest upon the upper side of the annular shoulder 13 provided upon the post. Also the cap member is provided with an inner annular shoulder 15, located opposite the cutaway portion thereof and adapted to rest upon the upper side of the shoulder of the post, whereby the two members are connected to the post. In cach of the members of this latter form of the invention the complementary grooves 16 and 17, located above the shoulders 14 and 15, are reduced in size to closely fit the post, so that the lower portions of the grooves may tit the enlargement or shoulder 13, and thereby prevent movement of the members upon the post. This modified form of coupling is intended to provide a connection between the same and a solid post in which it would not be convenient to use the pin connection, as hereinbefore described, for a tubular post.-

The present invention provides an exceedingly simple and practical means for connecting the side and end rails to the end posts of a bedstead, being adapted for use in connection with tubular or solid posts and in either case fitting snugly the post, so as to prevent movement and looseningr of any of the parts of the device. Furthermore, it will be understood that the coupling may be of angular form instead of rounded, as shown, so as to adapt the device to the different shapes of rails and end posts.

Although I have shown and described the coupling as used to connect the rails of a bedstead to the end posts thereof, it will be understood that the .coupling may be employed to connect the runner-rails to the posts of an iron fence in a convenient and effective manner Without changing or altering the device in any particular.

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details of construction within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacriicing any of the advantages of this invention.

1. A device of the class described, comprising a semitubular member having means adapted to engage a post, whereby the member may be connected thereto, and a tubular cap member adapted to embrace both the post and the semitubular member, whereby the latter is prevented from becoming disengaged from the post, substantially as shown and described.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a semitubular member adapted to have an engagement with a post and provided with divergent sockets having a brace-web therebetween, and a tubular cap member adapted to embrace both the post and the semitubular member, whereby the latter is prevented from becoming disengaged from the post, substantially as shown and described.

3. Adevice of the class described, comprising a semitubular member having means adapted to connect the same to a post and provided with sockets, and a tubular cap mem-A ber having a portion of one side thereof cut away or open longitudinally and adapted to embrace the post and the upper portion of the semitubular member, the transverse shoulder of the cap member formed by the cut-away portion thereof being adapted to rest upon the sockets of the semitubular member, whereby the cap member is held upon the semitubular member, substantially as shown and described.

4. A device of the class described, comprising a semitubular member having means adapted to engage a post and provided with sockets, and a tubular cap member adapted to embrace both the post vand the semitubular member and provided with a longitudinal enlargement or filling adapted to contract the interior of the cap and cooperate withthe semitubular member to tit snugly the post and 1thereby prevent movement of the device upon thepost,substantiallyasshown anddescribed.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a post having a lateral opening formed therein, of a semitubular member having a pin or lug adapted to tit within the opening in the post and provided with sockets, and a tubular cap member adapted to embrace both the post and the semitubular member, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a posthavinga lateral opening formed therein, of a semitubular member having divergent sockets projecting laterally from the convex face of the member, and a IOO IOS

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pin or lug projecting laterally from the c0ncave face of the member in the plane 0f one of the sockets, and a tubular cap member adapted to embrace both the post and the semitubular member, whereby the pin or lug of the latter may be held Within the opening formed with the post, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afxed my signature in 1o the presence of two Witnesses.

VILLIAM LOUIS DISMUKES.

IVtnesses:

R. A. MILAM, CHAS. GEIGER. 

